Max Iheanachor was selected as the No. 21 pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2026 NFL Draft. The former Arizona State offensive tackle has only played football for four years after moving from Nigeria at age 13.
Key points
Max Iheanachor was the No. 21 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
He is a former Arizona State offensive tackle.
Iheanachor moved to the U.S. from Nigeria at age 13.
He has only played football for four years.
Iheanachor did not allow a sack during the 2025 season.
Mentioned in this story
Arizona StateNigeria
Pittsburgh SteelersNFL Draft 2026
The Pittsburgh Steelers made Max Iheanachor, a relative newcomer to competitive football, the No. 21 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The former Arizona State offensive tackle moved to the U.S. from Nigeria at 13 and has only played football for four years.
Here's what to know about Iheanachor's path from relative football unknown to first-round NFL draft pick.
Who is Max Iheanachor?
Iheanachor is a 6-foot-6, 321-pound offensive tackle from Arizona State. Despite not playing competitive football until community college, his mix of agility and athleticism allowed him to get through the 2025 season at ASU without allowing a sack.
Iheanachor impressed in the Senior Bowl, leading to a bevy of visits with NFL teams ahead of the draft.
"It’s a business, with teams bringing in all the guys they like or are interested in,” Iheanachor, 22, told USA TODAY Sports NFL columnist Jarrett Bell earlier in April, on the eve of a visit with the 49ers that came on the final day when teams could conduct such sessions.
“You just kind of talk to them eye-to-eye. The O-line coach, teaching you in a room, seeing how you retain information. They want to learn about your character as a player. It’s definitely been an awesome experience.”
Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor is selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the number 21 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor is selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the number 21 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
Q&A
What position does Max Iheanachor play in the NFL?
Max Iheanachor plays as an offensive tackle in the NFL.
How did Max Iheanachor perform in college football?
Iheanachor had an impressive college career at Arizona State, not allowing a sack during the 2025 season.
What was significant about Max Iheanachor's selection in the 2026 NFL Draft?
Iheanachor was notable for being a relative newcomer to football, having only played for four years before being drafted.
Where did Max Iheanachor move from before playing football?
Max Iheanachor moved to the U.S. from Nigeria at the age of 13.
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USA TODAY scouting report on Max Iheanachor
Here's what USA TODAY NFL draft expert Ayrton Ostley had to say about Iheanachor:
Impressive footwork thanks to his background in soccer and basketball. Good control in pass protection sets and uses his active hands. Great athleticism. Remains a bit raw as a tackle with an anchor that needs development. Could become a solid starter with time thanks to his potential.
Arizona Republic scouting report on Max Iheanachor
Arizona Republic college sports reporter Michelle Gardner offered this report on the tackle:
One of the more intriguing figures in the draft, with stock soaring thanks to a good performance in the Senior Bowl and at the NFL Combine. The 6-5, 320-pounder has great agility for a player his size, his days playing soccer and basketball likely factors in that. He is a raw prospect, not having played the sport in high school and only picking it up in community college. He has played the sport for three years and left ASU having started 27 straight games despite his newness to the sport.
How do you pronounce Iheanachor?
You'll want to learn this one, Steelers fans. It's ee-HANA-sure.
Max is just Max.
Max Iheanachor 40-yard dash time
Sure, he won't be sprinting down the field often from his tackle spot, but Iheanachor's athleticism almost matched the NFL Scouting Combine record for his position. He ran a 4.91-second 40-yard dash this year in Indianapolis, 0.01 seconds shy of the record.
"The climb is there,” NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah said during a video conference with reporters. “Every time I watched him in the fall, to when I watched him at the Senior Bowl – from the beginning of the week to the end of the week – the guy just keeps getting better and better. He just continues to ride that wave.”
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Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor is selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the number 21 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
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1 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
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The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
Above, A detailed view of the stage showing a still of Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana on screen after being selected first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
1 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Las Vegas Raiders – QB Fernando Mendoza, Indiana
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft brings franchise‑defining moments as teams make their selections from the top of the board.
See how picks 1 through 32 came off the clock as the next generation of NFL talent enters the league.
Above, A detailed view of the stage showing a still of Fernando Mendoza of the Indiana on screen after being selected first overall pick by the Las Vegas Raiders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
2 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech
David Bailey of Texas Tech poses after being selected second overall pick by the New York Jets during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
3 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Arizona Cardinals − RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame
Jeremiyah Love of Notre Dame poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected third overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
4 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Tennessee Titans − WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State
Carnell Tate of Ohio State poses after being selected fourth overall pick by the Tennessee Titans during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
5 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
New York Giants − LB Arvell Reese, Ohio State
Arvell Reese of Ohio State celebrates after being selected fifth overall pick by the New York Giants during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
6 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Kansas City Chiefs (from Browns) − CB Mansoor Delane, LSU
Mansoor Delane of LSU celebrates after being selected sixth overall pick by the Kansas City Chiefs during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
7 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Washington Commanders − LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State
Sonny Styles of Ohio State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Lynn Swann and Jerome Bettis after being selected seventh overall pick by the Washington Commanders during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
8 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
New Orleans Saints − WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State
Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected eighth overall pick by the New Orleans Saints during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
9 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Cleveland Browns (from Chiefs) − OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Utah Utes offensive tackle Spencer Fano is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number nine pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
10 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Giants (from Cincinnati Bengals) − OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)
Francis Mauigoa of Miami poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected tenth overall pick by the New York Giants during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
11 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Dallas Cowboys (from Dolphins) − S Caleb Downs, Ohio State
Caleb Downs of Ohio State celebrates after being selected eleventh overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
12 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Miami Dolphins (from Cowboys) − OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
Kadyn Proctor of Alabama poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected twelfth overall pick by the Miami Dolphins during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
13 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) − QB Ty Simpson, Alabama
Ty Simpson of Alabama poses with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected thirteenth overall pick by the Los Angeles Rams during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
14 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Baltimore Ravens − G Olaivavega Ioane, Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions offensive guard Olaivavega Ioane is selected by the Baltimore Ravens as the number 14 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
15 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Tampa Bay Buccaneers − DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)
Rueben Bain Jr. of Miami celebrates after being selected fifteenth overall pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
16 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) − TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon
Oregon Ducks tight end Kenyon Sadiq is selected by the New York Jets as the number 16 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
17 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Detroit Lions − OT Blake Miller, Clemson
Clemson Tigers offensive lineman Blake Miller is selected by the Detroit Lions as the number 17 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
18 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Minnesota Vikings − DL Caleb Banks, Florida
Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks is selected by the Minnesota Vikings as the number 18 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
19 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Carolina Panthers − OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia
Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling is selected by the Carolina Panthers as the number 19 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
20 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Philadelphia Eagles (from Green Bay Packers via Cowboys) − WR Makai Lemon, USC
Makai Lemon of USC celebrates after being selected twentieth overall pick by the Philadelphia Eagles during Round One of the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium on April 23, 2026, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
21 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Pittsburgh Steelers − OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State
Arizona State Sun Devils offensive lineman Max Iheanachor is selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the number 21 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
22 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Los Angeles Chargers − DE/OLB Akheem Mesidor, Miami (Fla.)
Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor is selected by the Los Angeles Chargers as the number 22 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
23 / 24
See 2026 NFL Draft first round picks so far
Cowboys (from Eagles) − DE Malachi Lawrence, Central Florida
UCF Knights defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence is selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number 23 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion is selected by the Cleveland Browns as the number 24 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium.
How was Max Iheanachor discovered?
Arizona State offensive line coach Saga Tuitele told Bell that he discovered Iheanachor when he was a coach at Fresno State, going to scout another player at East Los Angeles College.
“Then, all of a sudden, I was like, ‘Who in the hell is that kid?'" Tuitele told USA TODAY Sports.
Iheanachor was raw, having played soccer and basketball in high school, but his potential was evident at all levels.
“They did a good job with him at ELAC,” Tuitele said. “But he wasn’t very good. His film sucked, but you saw he had some athletic ability and wasn’t scared.”
Tuitele went to ASU as part of Kenny Dillingham's staff and brought Iheanachor along.
